Types of electric vehicles

There are three main types of electric vehicles (EVs), classed by the degree that electricity is used as their energy source.

Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs)

HEVs are powered by both petrol and electricity. The electric energy is generated by the car’s own braking system to recharge the battery. This is called ‘regenerative braking’, a process where the electric motor helps to slow the vehicle and uses some of the energy normally converted to heat by the brakes.

HEVs start off using the electric motor, then the petrol engine cuts in as load or speed rises. The two motors are controlled by an internal computer which ensures the best economy for the driving conditions.

The Honda Civic Hybrid and Toyota Camry Hybrid are both examples of HEVs.

Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs)

Also known as Extended-Range Electric Vehicles (EREVs), this type of EV is powered by both petrol and electricity.

PHEVs can recharge the battery through both regenerative braking and ‘plugging-in’ to an external electrical charging outlet. In EREVs the petrol engine extends the range of the car by also recharging the battery as it gets low.

Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs)

BEVs are fully electric vehicles, meaning they are only powered by electricity and do not have a petrol engine, fuel tank or exhaust pipe.

BEVs are also known as ‘plug-in’ EVs as they use an external electrical charging outlet to charge the battery. BEVs can also recharge their batteries through regenerative braking. Read more about charging options on our Charging your electric vehicle webpage.

Models available in Australia include the BMW i3 and the Nissan Leaf which produces zero CO2 exhaust emissions1.

Please note: Information correct as at November 2014. Source www.greenvehicleguide.gov.au. While every effort has been made to present all models of BEV and PHEV currently available in Australia, some makes or models may have been inadvertently left off this poster. For information on availability and price, please contact your local dealership.